Jubilation in Offa

Thousands of Offa residents poured onto the streets yesterday, following claims that the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) Chairman, Dr Uthman Ajidagba, had disowned the purported announcement of the Offa Local Government’s rerun result on Radio Kwara.

The town had been quiet since Radio Kwara claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Segun Olanipekun, was declared winner of the Saturday rerun poll, contrary to the results from the 12 wards.

The town came alive when the residents learnt that Ajidagba had disowned the controversial Radio Kwara broadcast.

“Today, fortunately, has turned out to be one of the happiest days of my life. In the morning, we woke up to the terrible news of our mandate being stolen from us. But now, we hear another news that Radio Kwara acted on its own and at its own peril,” said Ibrahim Anifowoshe, a meat retailer.

“Somebody in Offa just confirmed to me that there’s plenty broom jubilation right now, contrary to the earlier result,” said Olayinka Owolewa on twitter Sunday evening.

In her tweet at 6:47pm, Bolaji Ojo said: “Offa rerun update: Jubilation in Offa at the moment as Saheed Popoola (APC) returns from KWASIEC office in Ilorin.”

There was no official statement from the KWASIEC on the status of the election result. Neither has it issued a statement about it disowning the Radio Kwara announcement that triggered criticism from the APC.